A Great Time

How is success measured in the entertainment industry? Whether it is by garnering award nominations, hitting a billion streams, selling out arenas, or having platinum-selling albums, singer-songwriter and producer David Adedeji Adeleke, known by his stage name Davido, has cemented his status as an international star: a sold-out gig at the 20,000-capacity O2 in London, chart-topping songs like “If” and “Fall,” and various awards and nominations. Who could have seen this coming? Certainly not Adeleke, whose career in music started out of sheer curiosity. “I used to have a cousin that would take me to the studio when I was younger,” he recalls. “One day, I just tried to work my way around with the equipment, and I fell in love with recording.”

Eventually drawn into the world of music production, Adeleke began creating his own music. “Honestly, I didn’t really start off as a serious musician, I just fell into it,” the 27-year-old Nigerian artist says. “I was recording music, and it just started getting bigger and bigger.” Taking Afrobeats to another level to be appreciated globally, while it didn’t come as a shock, the success of his 2011 hit “Back When” was certainly not planned.

Regardless, the time has come for him to lead the way and break through the U.S. music industry. With his easy-going attitude and furious work ethic (he’s currently based in Atlanta, Lagos, and London), Adeleke’s latest album A Good Time, incorporating his charisma and uplifting instrumentation, has already (and undeniably) generated major buzz from critics.

Here comes the question: How does the award-winning superstar know when he’s had a hit on his hands? In fact, he doesn’t. “I just live my life, honestly. I don’t plan anything. I record and just hope for the best. God has always been there for me, giving me the best,” Adeleke says. “Anything you do in life, you should love your occupation. I love my job. Whether I’m making money or not, I would still do music. My goal is to keep making beautiful music, and whatever comes out of that, I will accept it.”

Writer: Alain Clerine

Photographer: Owen James Vincent

Stylist: Megan Smales

Men’s Grooming: Neusa Neves (using NARS Cosmetics)

Videographer: Olivia Hoole

Editor: Eiko Watanabe

Special thanks to Sony Music UK (@sonymusicuk - www.sonymusic.co.uk) & MEATliquor (@meatgram - meatliquor.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)